Goodell House

E. F. Goodell built this house for his family in about 1916.

Ernest F. Goodell was born in St. Charles in 1858. His parents, Orrinda and Joel Goodell, a veterinary surgeon, moved from New York to settle in St. Charles in 1857.

Ernest was interested in finance and became a cashier for the J.C. Baird & Co. Bank in St. Charles in the 1890s. He later served as the President of the Steward State Bank. Goodell also held the offices of City Treasurer for St. Charles, Kane County Treasurer, Treasurer of the Union Cemetery Association of St. Charles, and Tax Collector. Goodell married Abby Peterson in 1884, and the couple had three children.

The Goodell House is a prime example of the Prairie Style of architecture. The house features many typical Prairie elements, including a hipped roof with long clusters of narrow, rectangular windows providing an overall horizontal emphasis. The materials are also very common to Prairie homes, with the use of light stucco that contrasts with dark brickwork. The house stands as one ot the few examples of Prairie Style architecture in St. Charles.

Sources

■ Boldt, Jan and Laura. "E.F. Goodall Prairie School House." (.pdf document online )

■ Davis, Alice, The Settlement and Growth of St. Charles p. 25

■ Passing in Review: Reminiscences of Men Who Have Been Residents of St. Charles (View online )

■ St. Charles Biographical Directory and Census Report, 1885.